RALPH J. FIGY
The Westfield News is printing candidate profiles daily until Election Day, Nov. 5. The Westfield News encourages all citizens to vote. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you don’t know where to vote, visit cityofwestfield.org or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 413-572-6235.
Ward 2 City Council Incumbent
Personal Background:
My Name is Ralph Figy and I am running for re-election to the Westfield City Council representing Ward 2. I am 68 years old and have lived in the same house on Brookline Avenue for the last 34 years.
I am married to my wife Susan and we just recently celebrated 37 years of marriage. We have two children, both of whom are proud graduates of the Westfield Public School Systems. Sean is a Reconstructive Microsurgeon at the Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Lauren is the Supervisor of Science, Technology, and Engineering for the Westfield Public Schools.
I retired in 2012 after working as a School Counselor at Agawam High School. During that time, I was a coach for the Westfield High School soccer program as well as the indoor and outdoor track and field program.
Since retirement, I have filled my time with many different things. The majority of time is filled being the current Ward 2 Councilor and President of the City Council. I also work as a mentor at the Westfield Technical Academy, where I also started the cross-country program.
Along with my wife, I continue to be an active member of the community. Every Monday, we work with a team of people to provide dinner for Our House, a shelter for homeless young adults. We also work with Amelia Park Ice Arena for the New England Sled Hockey Tournament and the Westfield Public Schools Annual Food Drive to provide Thanksgiving dinners for Westfield families in need of some extra help around the holidays. Last year, with the generous help of the citizens of Westfield, 225 families were provided with complete Thanksgiving dinners.
What qualifications do you have that would help you fill the role of City Councilor?
I have been honored to serve as the current Ward 2 Councilor for the last six years. Before that, I was on the board of directors for the Springfield Ski Club, the organization that Operated Blandford Ski Area. These, in addition to my degree from Anderson University, have given me the education and experience necessary to work in the business and policies of the Westfield government.
What Department Heads have I met with recently?
I meet regularly with the Mayor every other week to review agenda items and pertinent issues to the city in preparation for the Council meeting. Additionally, I am in near daily contact with the major through text, phone and email. It is not uncommon to have daily contact with the Mayor via Text, phone call, or email.
I attend the bi-monthly School Committee Meetings and discuss issues with the Superintendent at these meetings. I also have a monthly meeting with the Superintendent to discuss specific issues I attend all School budget hearings to understand the school budget. As the liaison to the school department, I also present a monthly update to the full council to keep my fellow councilors up to date.
I am the liaison to the Council on aging as well. I attend the monthly meeting and am in regular contact with Director Gorman. I also have monthly office hours at the Senior Center and meet with Ms. Gorman before or after to discuss issues facing the seniors here in Westfield.
When I’m at City Hall, I like to walk through and stop into the other departments to check on them. I have been able to develop positive relationships with all department heads as well as with lots of city employees.
What are my main concerns for Ward 2?
I have several major concerns for Ward 2. First is our aging infrastructure. Ward 2 is one of the oldest wards in the city. We have 100 year old water lines as well as 100 year old sewers. At times our roads feel like they are 100 years old as well. I would like to develop a plan to start to replace this aging infrastructure before they fail.
The second concern is the age and condition of Abner Gibbs and Fort Meadow Elementary Schools, both of which are over 100 years old. While both schools have been amazing places for students to grow and learn, both need to be updated or replaced. This is a multiyear, multiplayer project that will require buy in from all parties involved. The children of Westfield deserve quality school buildings to continue receiving the quality education they deserve.
A third concern would be issues affecting the Senior Population in Westfield. There are over 8000 Senior citizens are residing in Westfield with a large number living in Ward 2. We have a number of ongoing issues as it relates to access and services for our senior citizens with new issues presenting themselves frequently.
Why should residents votes for me?
I believe there are several reasons the residents should vote for me.
I am accessible. I hold monthly office hours every third Thursday at the Sr. Center. My phone number and email is easily obtainable on the city Website.
I am responsive to all citizens concerns. I return telephone messages and email within 24 hours. If I do not know the answer, I will say so and will try to find the requested information. Some answers are more easily obtained than others. The relationships I have developed are what make this process work efficiently. I do call or email people back.
I am dependable. I attend most, if not all, Council, School Committee, and COA meetings as scheduled. I have regular contact with the various city department heads in order to provider citizens with answers to their issues.
What Positive Effects have you had on the City and your Ward?
I have sponsored and supported ordinances to try and improve the quality of life within the City of Westfield. The nuisance house and party house ordinances are two examples of this. While they haven’t completely corrected the issue, they have made a positive impact on our neighborhoods. By giving the Health Department and the police more tools to enforce and to control antisocial behavior, we have started to change the party culture in many of our neighborhoods.
As the liaison between the City Council and the School Committee, I have been able to be see the continued improvement in our schools. The school budget is the biggest in the city. Attending committee meetings and finance subcommittee meetings has allowed me to better understand the budget and how our money is being spent. This allows me to work toward progress that is impactful and budget minded. Educating our youth is a major responsibility that will continue to drive Westfield toward bigger and better things.
I have voted to support the $18 million dollar bond to treat the water problem on the North Side of Town. The water contamination we are facing is probably the biggest issue in Westfield, both for its implications for the residents today and in the future. We will need to continue to monitor our water quality and make sure we have safe water as well as water independence from surrounding communities.
